Ronald Aeschliman

Ronald “Ron” Lee Aeschliman, 74, passed away at home on Saturday, March 11, 2023, after a brief time on hospice. A special thank you to the Munson Healthcare Hospice team for their care of Ron in his last days.

Ron was born at the Osteopathic Hospital in Traverse City on July 10, 1948, to Harold and Frances (Seitz) Aeschliman. He graduated from Traverse City High School in 1966 and served a brief time in the US Air Force. Ron worked for many local companies including Potter’s Bakery, Mills Paper, and Quality Dry Cleaners. He started his lifelong career of Residential Building with Tom Swanson Construction in the mid-1970s and eventually started his own company in the late 1980s, Ron Aeschliman Construction, to build residential houses through the 2000s. Ron also loved to snowplow driveways for many years for neighbors, friends and family.

Ron had many hobbies and collections. He loved to buy classic cars and trucks and restore them. In his younger days, he enjoyed golf, boating and fishing. He had many collections including knives, coins, guns and swords. In his spare time, he loved to tinker in the garage, go for a “Sunday” drive and attend auctions. He spent many hours in his tractor making snow mountains for his granddaughters to play on. He also raced at Kaleva drag strip periodically from the early 70s through the early 2000s. He was a lifelong drinker of Mountain Dew from its premier in the 1960s to his last days.

Ron is survived by his wife, Antonia “Toni”, his daughters Karmon (Kirk) and Alison, his granddaughters Abbey (Casey) and Molly and his granddog, Dave. Ron was always there for his family with stories to tell and advice to give. He mentored many other people during his life.

He was preceded in death by his father, Harold Aeschliman, mother, Frances Seitz, stepmother, Veronica (Agruda) Aeschliman, sister, Connie “Tiny” Aeschliman, half-sister, Peggy Clarke and stepbrother, Randy Agruda.

An informal Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, March 25, 2023, from 1 – 4 pm at Life Story Funeral home in Traverse City. In honor of Ron, wear a baseball/Trucker hat or a car shirt. At the Celebration, you are welcome to share a memory of Ron or write it on a notecard for the family. There will be a brief military honors ceremony at 2 pm.

In lieu of flowers, consider donating to Munson Heathcare Hospice, Traverse Area Historical Society to preserve the history of TC, or the Hagerty Drivers Foundation which helps support the continuation of Ron’s favorite hobby for future generations.

Please visit www.lifestorytc.com to share your thoughts and more.